Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO Coming to Blu-Ray with 5.1 Surround Sound

 

Afred Hitchcock's Psycho is a suspense/horror film masterpiece and Universal Pictures has announced that it will be coming to Blu-ray on October 19th 2010 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the classic film. They have put the film through the process of upgrading the the image in hi-def and for the first time ever the film will be presented in DTS HD 5.1 digital sound. How awesome will it be to hear the musical score of this movie in all its musical glory. of course if you want, you can also watch the film in its original mono sound, but why in the hell would you want to do that?

The press release states:

The Psycho 50th Anniversary Edition is packed with extras, including behind-the-scenes bonus features, documentaries, audio interviews and an in-depth look at the re-mastering process. Universal Studios BluWave Audio (Universal's in-house post production sound facility) started the re-mastering process with the film's previously preserved and restored soundtrack to create a new 5.1 mix. BluWave then contracted Audionamix, a Paris-based audio technology company, to split the original mono music source into quasi-orchestral tracks. Audionamix, a leader in soundtrack separation, then applied their breakthrough proprietary technology enabling BluWave to create a discrete 5.1 split music mix.

BluWave's creative talent gathered the original sound effects from the Studios' extensive effects library and, using these source materials, created a 5.1 up-mix to bring Psycho's soundtrack up to the expectations of contemporary audiences while maintaining the original integrity of the filmmaker's vision.

Psycho's mono audio track will also be available for viewers who want to experience the film in its original form on its golden anniversary. This cinematic achievement from the Master of Suspense is an essential addition to every movie lover's library.

On top of the perfect HD picture and awesome sound upgrade we have these special features to look forward to:

• Psycho Sound:  A never-before-seen piece that looks at the re-mastering process required to create a 5.1 mix from the original mono elements using Audionamix technology.
• The Making of Psycho:  A feature-length documentary on Hitchcock's most shocking film.
• In the Master's Shadow – Hitchcock's Legacy: Some of Hollywood's top filmmakers discuss Hitchcock's influence and why his movies continue to thrill audiences.
• Hitchcock/Truffaut Interviews: Excerpts from a 1962 audio interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
• Audio Commentary: Feature-length audio commentary with Stephen Rebello (Author of "Alfred Hitchcock and the making of Psycho")
• Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho: Vintage newsreel on the unique policy Alfred Hitchcock insisted upon for the release of the film.
• The Shower Scene: A look at the impact of music on the infamous "shower scene."
• The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass: Original storyboard design.
• Production Notes: Read an essay on the making of the film.
• The Psycho Archives: See the gallery of on-set photo stills from the film's production.
• Posters And Psycho Ads: See a gallery of original posters and ads from the theatrical campaign.
• Lobby Cards: View a gallery of promotional lobby cards from the film's theatrical campaign.  
• Behind-The-Scenes Photographs: View rare photos showing the cast and crew at work.
• Theatrical Trailer: Watch the original promotional trailer from the film's theatrical campaign.
• Re-Release Trailers: Watch the promotional trailer created for the re-release of the film

I will most definitely be picking myself up a copy of this Blu-ray copy of Psycho, what about you?

Synopsis:

Join the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, on a chilling journey as an unsuspecting victim visits the Bates Motel and falls prey to one of cinema's most notorious psychopaths - Norman Bates. Named number one on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills list, this infamous film has become a cultural phenomenon. Featuring one of the most iconic scenes in film history - the famous "shower scene," Psycho is "still terrifying after all these years" (Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide).